In an effort to increase the number of primary care physicians who choose to practice
in rural areas, the Department of Family Medicine has sought to have a greater influence
upon high school students during a period which is critical to their career determinations.
Rural high school students eyeing a career in medicine and the health sciences can
get an early glimpse into the field by entering the 14th annual Rural High School
Medical Camp, hosted by the James H. Quillen College of Medicine. The camp encourages
the students to consider a career that previously may have appeared out of reach and
gives them a set of experiences to guide them for preparation for entering medical
school.

The program is organized around a one-week summer camp for up to 24 rural high school
students - must be a rising junior, senior or recent graduate. 393 students have participated in the 15 previous camps. During the one-week of didactics,
the students are introduced to disciplines of medicine with hands on experience. They
are also oriented to campus life, learning about admissions to both East Tennessee
State University and the James H. Quillen College of Medicine, financial aid/scholarships,
and enjoy some social time in the evenings as well.

Participants will reside on campus, and medical students and college of medicine staff
will provide chaperone service 24 hours a day. This year’s programs will include job
shadowing, field trips, and lectures. Some of the most popular programs have included
Gross Anatomy, Suturing,phlebotomy, learning histories and physicals, human simulation
lab and public health.

High school students interested in rural medicine - should apply to the program –
space is limited. Tuition for the summer program is $215, which includes room, all meals, entertainment,
and transportation. For more information, please contact Carolyn Sliger, MSEH, Rural Programs Coordinator, at 423-439-6737 or sliger@etsu.edu.

Out of state counties that border north east Tennessee are eligible and Tennessee
students from rural high schools.